Welcome Screen Logon Blues

[Happy1]

Greetings every1, I've a big problem, I'm using Windows Vista Home
Premium 32-bit SP2, IntelCore2 CPU 6400@2.13 GHz, 4.0GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 4600 series, presently of 465 GB I've 397 free GB.

My problem, some how my Autologin on the Welcome Screen was REPLACED by an Icon with Logon underneath, I'm also the administrator.   This new logon screen interrupts whatever I'm doing or whichever movie or film I'm watching by abruptly sending me back to the Welcome Login screen necessitating my clicking on my
Icon to send me back to where I was.

I searched the Internet, Google, Vista help, Vista Info, Microsoft plus
advice from friends with NO solution to this pain in the arse problem!

Would some1 pls render assistance as to how I may get back to the
Autologin screen? Thx much.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Vista is bad news in general. You'll do better by taking the Windows8 upgrade for 40 bucks. I've seen multiple users very happy after the upgrade from Vista (setting aside the user interface issues with W8).

Autologin has no screen, it logs you automatically to your desktop.

[Chalenge]

"Start" "Run" enter netplwiz and hit ok. Uncheck "Users must enter username and password..." and hit ok. Enter your username and password.

Now your system will not have a username or password at all but this is VERY unsecure.

If you dont like that (I dont) then you should try TweakUAC:

http://www.winability.com/tweak-uac/

[MrRiplEy[H]]

"Start" "Run" enter netplwiz and hit ok. Uncheck "Users must enter username and password..." and hit ok. Enter your username and password.

Now your system will not have a username or password at all but this is VERY unsecure.

If you dont like that (I dont) then you should try TweakUAC:

http://www.winability.com/tweak-uac/

I think he doesn't really mean autologin as that has no 'screen' that could be replaced. I'm guessing that he might have no password set and his screensaver or power options are cutting his display mid-use. If that is the case he needs to untick the 'require login' checkbox from the screensaver settings.

[Chalenge]

I thought of that and also the possibility that he is working under Windows Server with a session limitation in place which is actually what he is describing. But I also remember how Vista shipped and how the first service pack changed the login screen which is what I thought his problem was because he did not mention Server.

The last time I heard of this was a Remote Desktop session into Server that had session limitations enforced when the system sensed idle periods. Now I'm thinking it could be the system is sensing idle periods and going into automatic logoff. This would be a configuration setting in the Power Management Options which is the next place I would look.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I thought of that and also the possibility that he is working under Windows Server with a session limitation in place which is actually what he is describing. But I also remember how Vista shipped and how the first service pack changed the login screen which is what I thought his problem was because he did not mention Server.

The last time I heard of this was a Remote Desktop session into Server that had session limitations enforced when the system sensed idle periods. Now I'm thinking it could be the system is sensing idle periods and going into automatic logoff. This would be a configuration setting in the Power Management Options which is the next place I would look.

But didn't he say he had Vista Home? If he would have a server version with Vista like interface that would be Server 2003.

[Chalenge]

Yes like I said he didnt mention Server so I would look under Power Management.

[Happy1]

Greetings & Salutations MrRiplEy & Chalenge:

Thx ever so much for ur help, for the present, MrRiplEy, I took ur advice & am currently downloading Windows 8 for $40.00 ... molto grazie! Re my problem I've no password set, save as Administrator.  Seemingly power options are cutting in during idle moments, such as now, necessitating my clicking on my Welcome screen Icon w/my name & LOCKED underneath, to get back to this reply.

Chalenge, u r so right, my system seems to sense idle periods, such as typing, watching movies & no mouse movements & automatically logs me off.I tried resetting the Power settings but with no success, I'm able to check (peruse) the options time-wise given from 1 minute to 5hrs & Never.  Tried resetting for 1 minute w/o success, 5 hours same results & the Never setting, none seem to work!  The Icon Locked reappears. Advanced setting has different options which I
don't understand...what should I set or change or do??  I solicit ur expertise in this unfortunate matter.  Thank you.

[2bighorn]

But didn't he say he had Vista Home? If he would have a server version with Vista like interface that would be Server 2003.

Server 2003 / XP = based on NT 5.x
Server 2008 / Vista = based on NT 6.0
Server 2008R2 / Win7 = based on NT 6.1
Server 2012 / Win 8 = based on NT 6.2

[Skuzzy]

As much as Vista was a lousy OS, Windows 7 would have been a better choice, than Windows 8.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

As much as Vista was a lousy OS, Windows 7 would have been a better choice, than Windows 8.

If you're ready to pay him the price difference, why not...

Win8 benchmarks have shown similar performance with W7 in gaming. In fact I'm still using the free preview in my other gaming box.

[2bighorn]

If you're ready to pay him the price difference, why not...

People should pay for their mistakes, and learn something out of it.  You shouldn't suggest to those who rushed to get Vista to commit another and pay for turd like win 8 is.

It's definitely worth to pay extra $50 (win 7 upgrade goes for under $100) for a decent win version until better alternative arrives, either win 9 or something else.

Win8 benchmarks have shown similar performance with W7 in gaming. In fact I'm still using the free preview in my other gaming box.

Basically, there's not much going for win 8, except extra pain down the road...

[MrRiplEy[H]]

People should pay for their mistakes, and learn something out of it.  You shouldn't suggest to those who rushed to get Vista to commit another and pay for turd like win 8 is.

It's definitely worth to pay extra $50 (win 7 upgrade goes for under $100) for a decent win version until better alternative arrives, either win 9 or something else.

Basically, there's not much going for win 8, except extra pain down the road...

2bighorn, how much experience do you personally have from using windows 8? It has served me without any troubles for the duration of 6 months I've had it installed - and I know many others who have the same experience.

So tell me, how long exactly have you used windows 8 to give such an expert opinnion on it?

[Chalenge]

Chalenge, u r so right, my system seems to sense idle periods, such as typing, watching movies & no mouse movements & automatically logs me off.I tried resetting the Power settings but with no success, I'm able to check (peruse) the options time-wise given from 1 minute to 5hrs & Never.  Tried resetting for 1 minute w/o success, 5 hours same results & the Never setting, none seem to work!  The Icon Locked reappears. Advanced setting has different options which I
don't understand...what should I set or change or do??  I solicit ur expertise in this unfortunate matter.  Thank you.

It sounds like you have Hybrid Sleep Mode enabled. Boot into Windows in Safe Mode. The go "Start" "Control Panel" "Power Options" and select "Change Plan Settings." Go to the advanced power settings and select "Change power settings that are currently unavailable." Under "Sleep" set Hybrid Sleep to OFF. Click OK.

It is very likely that one of your devices has a driver in need of update. Reboot and restart Windows normally. Check for updates for your devices through windows (NOT video drivers). Lastly setup a new power profile and see if it works without going into sleep mode. I use "Never" on all power settings myself but thats not for everyone.

[Bizman]

Somehow my ability of reading English has faded, but if I understand the problem correctly, your computer automatically puts you into the Logon screen when idle? Kudos to all contributors, but one thing I couldn't find mentioned in this thread is the ScreenSaver settings. Now, I don't have a Vista computer at hands and can't remember for sure, but I guess this Microsoft page gives the necessary information. Although you haven't mentioned actually seeing the screen saver before the Logon screen, it certainly doesn't hurt to disable it for uninterrupted movie experience. Also see that the tick mark is set not to go to Logon screen after a ScreenSaver.